Chelsea striker Demba Ba was ‘ready’ to join Arsenal

Demba Ba has admitted he came very close to joining Arsenal during the summer transfer window.

But now the Senegal international has reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for a place in Chelsea’s first-team after the move failed to materialise.

He said: “I was ready to go and play [for Arsenal] but it didn’t happen. I’m a good professional and will keep doing the same.”

The former Newcastle striker is now hoping to force himself into manager Jose Mourinho’s plans, but admits that he wants to play regularly.

He continued: “I wanted to play and I want to play.

“It all depends on me and the performance I put in on the pitch. If I play well, I will deserve to play and the manager will put me on the pitch because that’s how he is and if I don’t perform, it will only be my fault.

“I think the boss said it and I spoke to him before. I won’t tell you what we said on the phone but I told him that if I stay, I will keep fighting for the club. Now the matter is the next years with Chelsea and that’s it.”

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